Events & Festivals

With such a broad range of exciting events and festivals taking place on the Isle of Wight each year it's little wonder it is nicknamed the "Festival Island" Each of our events features it’s own unique character that reflects Island life. Add to the mix a mild and sunny climate and there are always plenty of reasons to visit. 

The Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 was one of the largest ever global music festivals, and in keeping with its legacy there are many music festivals taking place throughout the year on the Island. These include 2 award winning festivals, The Isle of Wight Festival (which has been resurrected in a new location in Newport) and the Bestival at Robin Hill Country Park. 

The Island springs to life in May with the 2 week Isle of Wight Walking Festival and a colourful sailing regatta held in the picturesque harbour town of Yarmouth.   The year continues with a range of musical and artistic talent in unusual settings.  Osborne House provides the stunning backdrop for a host of outdoor concerts while the steam railway at Havenstreet is the venue for the Island’s lively mid-summer jazz event. 

A curious mixture of country fair, great cuisine and entertainment, The Garlic Festival in August makes a great day out, while Cowes Week in August, which is the largest sailing regatta event in the world, provides plenty of opportunities to get afloat! 

The Island also plays host to a star-studded cast of literary and artistic talent and this is reflected in an eclectic programme of cultural festivals and year-round carnivals.

2013 is also set to be The Year of The Dinosaur on the Isle of Wight, with a varied programme of events taking place throughout the year to celebrate the Isle of Wight's recently acclaimed status of "Dinosaur Capital of the UK"

Latest Events

Our events calendar below details the biggest events coming up on the Isle of Wight in the next 12 months, or you can use our "What's On" search facility on the left hand side of the page to search a list of all our events.

For details on local community events please visit Isle of Wight Councils website.

Special Offers

Many of our accommodation and travel providers offer exclusive discounts for visitors to Isle of Wight events and festivals. Take a look at the latest festival and event offers for more information.